Community Enhancement Group making jobs

Friday

May 10, 2013 at 10:33 AMMay 10, 2013 at 10:36 AM

Connie DuvallMMI Reporter

An individual in search of employment may find it isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Locally there are those in need of assistance with re-entry into the work force based on criminal record, military service, juvenile record, or loss of employment. They now have someone to help them.

After three years of planning and discussions, Community Enhancement Group Secretary Norma Hooton, President Emma Marquis, and Vice-President Ron Gillette are ready to make things happen.

“We are not taking jobs, we are making jobs,” Marquis says. This endeavor is made possible through grants and donations.

The newly formed Community Enhancement Group has been created to assist individuals with job skills, and to further assist these individuals with permanent employment and relocation, if necessary. A dual purpose of the group is to make improvements to the community, and to promote growth of small businesses.

How does the program work?

An application from a potential candidate that needs assistance is taken. Based on the qualifications and needs of the applicant, an individual program is designed especially for that individual. They may be temporarily placed in a small local business for training with constant supervision, at no cost to the company. Once a supervisor feels they are able to perform specific job skills, assistance is given in seeking permanent employment and relocation, if necessary. Other individuals may be placed on a supervised crew doing community projects, and projects for local businesses.

Individuals must complete the required amount of work and have a positive review from their supervisor to receive their stipend every two weeks. Program participants will also be assisted with establishing credit, debt consolidation, money management and social expectations through classes.

How the program becomes self-sufficient?

Participants are placed in work crews and then placed with companies who are willing to help train. The crews will work on community projects, jobs for local businesses and individuals that can not afford to pay for the needed repairs such as energy efficiency, cleaning, minor repairs, landscaping, etc., to generate perpetual income. The program will also take dilapidated and condemned properties and either refurbish them for resale, or demolition them and then sell the vacant lots. Multiple businesses are already on board and wiling to participate in this program.

Benefits of the program are varied. As a community with a prison, the program will help to re-enter individuals back into a community as they are released.

Much needed improvements to the community will be made, increasing property values.

Money will be brought into the community, which will in turn be spent in the community.

There will be immediate jobs created within the community. Courts will have a place to send those needing to do community service.

The list of benefits goes on. For more information call Norma Hooton at 660-651-7933, or Emma Marquis at 660-651-1673.